World: Pillar of Light a waste, audit says

MEXICO CITY - An audit of a controversial monument that critics say resembles a giant cream wafer has found that Mexico's anti-corruption agency failed to oversee spending and ignored costly errors during its construction.

Formally known as the Pillar of Light, the structure was supposed to cost around $35 million, instead tax payers paid $100 million, the report released Wednesday by Congress' audit unit said.

The audit found the Public Administration Department ignored violations of construction codes and full compliance with spending regulations.

The structure was built on the emblematic Reforma boulevard to commemorate the bicentennial of Mexican independence and was scheduled to be inaugurated on Sept. 15, 2010. It was finished a year and a half behind schedule

ITALY

Government stymied as talks on coalition stall

Italy's political gridlock deepened on Wednesday as talks to form a government broke down between the center-left leader, Pier Luigi Bersani, and the upstart Five Star Movement, a month after national elections failed to yield a majority.

International investors have intensified their scrutiny of Italy, the eurozone's third-largest economy, since the Cyprus government imposed severe capital controls on depositors after securing a $12.8 billion bailout of its banks. The euro dropped to a four-month low against the dollar on Wednesday.

Bersani said on Wednesday that he would hold more consultations on Thursday.

SYRIA

Assad issues call for help in fighting 'evil'

President Bashar Assad of Syria beseeched a five-nation group of emerging powers Wednesday to help halt the Syrian conflict.

In a letter to the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - the so-called BRICS group of developing nations, which convened a summit meeting in Durban, South Africa - Assad sought to frame his request as a plea for assistance in the fight of good against evil.